A Historical Turning Point in the Development of the National Library of Latvia
16.05.2008
The first discussions about the need of a new National Library started already in 1928, and the significance of the project of this century was further confirmed by the high-level international recognition. In 1999 almost all 170 UNESCO member states during its General Conference adopted a resolution, calling the member states and the international community to ensure all possible support for the implementation of NLL project.
At the historical moment of signing the construction contract Māris Saukāns, the head of “The Union of National Construction Companies” admitted: “This is a historical day not only for us, but for the whole of Latvia. We have to take over everything that has been done before as a baton, to bring this project to completion. And we are ready to do it, so that on November 18, 2012 the new National Library of Latvia would open its doors. The new building of the NLL will be one of the most complex objects to be constructed in independent Latvia. It is a great challenge to us, the builders. We understand that the whole of society will closely watch each glass pane that will be built into it, and the result has to be perfect. And this work will bring us satisfaction, through the awareness that architecture makes this project valuable and that the Castle of Light will become the landmark object of Riga and Latvia. I am convinced that this building will meet all ideas about what a modern 21st century library should be like.”
The signing of the contract was concluded with the wish to hold the next meeting already a the construction site, and as Zigurds Magone, the director of the state agency “The New Three Brothers” said, it could happen already this year, around the time of Midsummer Night’s celebrations.
“The Union of National Construction Companies”, consisting of the joint stock company „RBS SKALS”, „Re & Re”, Ltd. and „Skonto Būve”, Ltd. has undertaken to build the library for 135. 2 million lats, including the VAT. The construction itself will be organised in two stages – by September 2009 the zero cycle (soil level works) of the building will be completed. It is planned to commission the Castle of Light in 2011 as fully completed as to its engineering and technical communications, a building connected to the heating, water, electricity, sewage lines and other amenities, where the National Library of Latvia will be able to work and provide services to its visitors. Approximately a year will be needed for the National Library of Latvia to move to the new premises.
The aim of the National Library of Latvia project is to make information accessible to all people, irrespectively of their place of residence, social status, level of education, ethnicity or any other considerations, reducing the gap between those who already have this opportunity and those who are denied it. The library is people centred; all its activities are aimed at providing opportunities to everybody, at facilitating the development of a wise, educated, informed and globally competitive society.
